Saturday 18th August 2001
Tommy Holmes Cup Final
Keighley Albion 30 Silsden Park Rangers 18

Albion Cup Champs

As expected Keighley Albion took the Tommy Holmes trophy, from their local rivals Silsden Park Rangers but not without a scare.

Pennine league third division team Rangers looked overawed early in the match by their conference opponents, when Albion opened up a substantial lead with ex Park Ranger Neil Jordan doing most of the damage with the first two tries.

Indiscipline by Silsden cost them field position and for the most part were camped in their own half for much of the first forty.  Tony Williams and Dave Webster led by example however by not giving an inch and slowly Rangers started to make their mark.  John and Wayne McCombe made inroads into Albion territory before the ball came right through the hands of Shaun Cooper and Mark Kent for winger Mick Preston to score gleefully in the comer.

In the second half it looked as though we were in for more of the same as another ex-Cobbydaler in Andy Bowness crossed for Albion making the score 30-4 and it was just a question of how many.  Silsden suddenly rose to the task, firstly when John McCombe put in a chip kick to the line for brother Wayne to chase and he obligingly scored.

Silsden's spirit lifted and nowhere was it more evident than in Stuart Johnson and Andy Martin who ran and ran all afternoon.  John McCombe helped himself to a try with a fine turn of pace and neat sidstep and Wayne McCombe converted.

Albion had most of the possession in this period but the scrambling defence of Rangers kept them at bay.  Silsden had the final word when a neat interchange of passes down the left ended with Andy Martin scoring under the posts with Wayne McCombe's goal completing the scoring.

Albion fully deserved their victory in the end but credit must also go to Silsden for their efforts.  Both teams have much to be confident about for the forthcoming season.

From the Keighley News, Fri 24/8/01

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